OCD

Frequently asked questions

• Compulsions are repeated activities that you feel compelled to do because of OCD. These are intended to alleviate anxiety caused by your obsessions.

  Compulsions are generally around the folllowing:

  • Cleaning and washing
  • Checking
  • Counting
  • Orderliness and arranging
  • Requiring assurance over and over

• OCD usually develops in adolescence or early adulthood, but it can sometimes begin in childhood as well. Symptoms typically appear gradually and progress in intensity over time. Obsessions and compulsions can vary over time, and so can the varieties of obsessions and compulsions you have. When you are under a lot of stress, your symptoms usually worsen. OCD, commonly seen as a lifelong condition, can manifest itself in mild to moderate symptoms or it can be so serious that it becomes incapacitating.

• OCD has a prevalence of 2 to 3 %. It can affect people of all ages, including adults, adolescents, and children. Boys have a younger onset than girls and there is a slight higher preponderance in men. The causes of OCD are unknown, although there are some risk factors to consider:

  • Genetics: According to several studies, those with first-degree family members with OCD (Like a parent or a sibling) are more likely to develop the disorder themselves.
  • Environment: Some research has discovered a link between early psychological trauma and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. More research is warranted to understand this link. Moreover, kids can develop OCD or OCD symptoms after a streptococcal infection, known as Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections.

• We should not confuse a perfectionist with OCD—a perfectionist demands immaculate results or productivity or desires to keep things neat or organized in a particular way. However, consult your doctor or seek a mental health expert/psychiatrist’s help if your obsessions and compulsions are harming your general wellbeing.